GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — The Grand Island City Council unanimously approved a $388,000 economic development grant to support an expansion at CNH Industrial’s combine plant, as the manufacturer retools its facility for redesigned Axial-Flow harvest equipment.
Economic Development Director Mary Berlie told council CNH is investing about $50 million at the Grand Island plant, including major spending on new equipment, tooling and software, along with facility modifications needed to build the updated machines.
The LB840 grant is tied to the addition of 45 new full-time positions. Berlie said the funding is contingent on a workforce audit verifying the jobs are added.
Berlie also noted the vote would bring the city’s LB840 fund balance down to near zero, leaving roughly $645 after accounting for previously committed projects and the CNH award.
Council members praised CNH’s continued investment in Grand Island and called the redesigned combines a sign of ongoing modernization in manufacturing. Councilman Ryan O’Neill said the plant has undergone repeated reconfigurations over the years, and said he was “very supportive”, noting his father worked at the plant for more than 35 years, giving him a chance to see it evolve.
“There’s been a lot of major configuration changes and expansion in that time. This machinery is just getting more and more complex all the time. And I totally get why you have to expand. You’re never done doing that. It’s pretty impressive the amount of technology that’s that I combine in this day and age as well. I’m really happy to see another opportunity to add more jobs, modernize the plant. And I think this is a great proposal,” he said.
Grand Island voters renewed the city’s LB840 local option economic development program for another decade in 2023. The program is administered through the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation.
Funds come from a taxpayer-approved economic development fund, the same one they recently tapped to support livestock shows at Fonner Park.
In other action, the Grand Island City Council unanimously appointed Chelsey Steinke to serve as the City’s next Finance Director/City Treasurer during its April 28 council meeting.
Steinke currently serves as Director of Finance for VenuWorks of Grand Island, LLC, where she oversees day-to-day financial operations including budgeting, payroll, reporting, cash management and internal controls. She has held that position since January 2025.
Prior to joining VenuWorks, Steinke served as Controller for grain bin manufacturer AGI, where she worked closely with executive leadership on financial planning, budgeting and organizational reporting. Her background also includes financial leadership roles with Bosselman Enterprises, Seaton Publishing Company, Amur Finance Company and Anthony’s Steakhouse.
As Finance Director/City Treasurer, Steinke will oversee the City’s Finance Department, including budgeting, treasury operations, financial reporting, internal controls and long-range fiscal planning. The position plays a key role in maintaining transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
Mayor Roger Steele said Steinke’s combination of financial leadership, operational experience and strategic planning makes her well suited to guide the City’s financial operations. The appointment resolution also authorizes current City Treasurer Patrick Brown to maintain the official designation of City Treasurer during the transition period until duties are fully transferred, and the position is included within the City’s adopted fiscal year 2025-2026 budget. Steinke’s first day with the City will be June 1, 2026.
